Slings, which are real and which are not

[hsr]

Thant and that it has a brass coloring

[phillydude]

ok, but werent the originals made of brass too?

[painter777]

Both the Finial and snap can be found made from steel... because of the brass shortage. But whether Brass or steel both would have been blackened.

hth
Charlie-painter777

[Harlan (Deceased)]

2,3, and 11 are reproductions and the others are authentic.
(They can be brass or steel as Charlie said)

The web on authentic slings will have a distinct 'zig-zag' pattern that's easy to pick up. It can be khaki or OD.

* Another easy place to spot. Look at the bends on the real C-tips in these photos. (Fakes stick out like a sore thumb here as well)
- They used a tool that left a distinct impression while crimping onto the web. Compare the bends and crimps in the photos.
Bam! Right in front of your eyes.

There are some other smaller nuances that I shouldn't go into, and some are just from studying a lot, or harder to see and explain -
But these two items will be wrong on the bazzillion fakes out there these days.

I don't like to give away too much because the fakers can make corrections, but I hate watching so many new carbine owners being taken right now.
The first thing a new owner looks for is a sling and oiler. Most of what you see on eBay these days are reproductions and will work fine, but be wary of the sellers claiming they're authentic WWII vintage.
(Many fake slings are a little difficult to install around the oiler, but that's another topic)

Real slings are a little difficult to find, but they're out there. Expect to pay collector prices, but don't pay collector prices for $10 fakes.

Also remember that rubber stamps can be made for just a few dollars - Very few original slings are floating around these days with authentic pristine markings.

Use common sense, as in buying any web gear that's supposed to be over 60 years old. Even unused web gear will have a distinct appearance, and usually Oder. BUT, fakes have been around for a very long time too. Some will have an old look and even smell like a 60 year old Army/Navy store sometimes, but it's the exception rather than the rule. A real sling won't be perfect and smell like moth balls.

Guys you see on eBay who've found "boxes of brand new vintage slings" should make red flags come out of your computer screen. Think about it.

Now, can I have #12 for my work?

Nice group of slings, and great photos to show some of the clues.
~ Harlan

[Harlan (Deceased)]

PS-

There's one eBay seller who's been selling lots of these reproduction slings lately. He claims they're authentic and he found a large stash of them. It's sad to see how many he's sold and how much he's gotten on a few lately selling to new carbine owners who don't know the difference.

He's been taken to task by some of the most knowledgeable people I know and he just argues about it saying these are authentic.

His sling is on the right.